Stretch tent poles
Which tent pole should you choose for your stretch tent?
The poles determine the shape of your tent, how quickly you pitch it and how long it lasts. We supply four types. Below you will find the lengths, diameters and weights for each type — and what it is and is not intended for.
The range
Four types of pole
Wood
Eucalyptus
Straight, neatly finished and varnished. The varnish holds the warm light-brown colour and protects the wood outdoors, so this pole does not grey. It is also the slimmest and lightest wooden pole in the range.
- Lengths
- Side pole 2.50 · 3.00 · 3.50 m
Center pole 4.00 · 4.50 · 5.00 m - Diameter
- approx. 6.5 – 10 cm
- Weight
- 7 – 21 kg
- Finish
- Varnished, maintenance-free, does not grey
- Available as
- Side pole and center pole
Wood
Chestnut
Untreated wood with a rustic, robust look. Chestnut naturally contains tannins that protect against fungi and insects, so no treatment is needed. The poles are thick and have a slight natural curve; outdoors they turn grey.
- Lengths
- Side pole 2.50 · 3.00 · 3.50 m
Center pole 4.00 · 4.50 · 5.00 m - Diameter
- 8 – 15 cm
- Weight
- 10 – 17 kg
- Finish
- Untreated, maintenance-free, greys outdoors
- Available as
- Side pole and center pole
Wood · permanent setup
Robinia
A heavy side pole for tents that stay in one place. It goes at least a metre into the ground, set in rapid-set concrete. Robinia is naturally rot-resistant, so varnishing or impregnating is not necessary.
That saves time when pitching: the poles are already standing and the fixing points are already on them, so you only have to hang the fabric. At the end of the season you take the fabric off and the poles stay up.
- Length
- 4.00 m, of which at least 1 m in the ground
- Diameter
- 16 – 18 cm
- Weight
- 100 kg
- Finish
- Peeled and sanded, untreated, greys outdoors
- Available as
- Side pole only
Aluminium
Aluminium
The lightest option: a 2.00 metre side pole weighs 2.6 kg, where chestnut at 2.50 metres already reaches 10 kg. That makes a difference with every pitch and strike. Aluminium is also the only type you can make longer with extensions and connectors.
- Lengths
- Side pole 2.00 · 2.50 · 3.00 m
Center pole 4.00 · 4.50 · 5.00 m - Diameter
- 50.8 and 76 mm
- Weight
- 2.6 – 9.5 kg
- Finish
- Silver, extendable with extensions
- Available as
- Side pole and center pole
Side by side
The differences at a glance
| Eucalyptus | Chestnut | Robinia | Aluminium | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Available as side pole | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Available as center pole | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ |
| Pole cap included with the center pole | ✔ | ✔ | — | ✘ order separately |
| Side pole with cap available | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ order separately |
| Side pole without cap available | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Fixed in the ground, in concrete | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
All lengths, diameters and weights — side poles
| Length | Eucalyptus | Chestnut | Robinia | Aluminium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.00 m | — | — | — | Ø 50.8 mm · 2.6 kg |
| 2.50 m | Ø approx. 6.5 cm · 7 kg | Ø 8–12 cm · 10 kg | — | Ø 50.8 mm · 3.5 kg Ø 76 mm · 7.4 kg |
| 3.00 m | Ø approx. 7.5 cm · 8.5 kg | Ø 8–12 cm · 12.5 kg | — | Ø 50.8 mm · 4.3 kg Ø 76 mm · 7.4 kg |
| 3.50 m | Ø approx. 8 cm · 10.5 kg | Ø 8–12 cm · 14 kg | — | — |
| 4.00 m | — | — | Ø 16–18 cm · 100 kg | — |
All lengths, diameters and weights — center poles
| Length | Eucalyptus | Chestnut | Aluminium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.00 m | Ø approx. 8 cm · 17 kg | Ø 10–15 cm · 15 kg | Ø 76 mm · 7.4 kg |
| 4.50 m | Ø approx. 8 cm · 17.5 kg | Ø 10–15 cm · 17 kg | Ø 76 mm · 8.5 kg |
| 5.00 m | Ø approx. 10 cm · 21 kg | Ø 10–15 cm · 17 kg | Ø 76 mm · 9.5 kg |
Wood is a natural product. The diameters and weights are guide values: within one length poles differ from one another, and a chestnut pole is usually thicker at the base than at the top.
Frequently asked questions
Good to know
From what length is it a center pole?
In the shop from 4.00 metres: anything shorter is listed under side poles. Which pole becomes the center pole in your tent depends on the size of the fabric. With a small 5 x 7.50 metre tent, a 3.50 metre pole is the center pole. If you are unsure about your tent size, just ask.
Is a cap included with the pole?
Every center pole has a cap; with chestnut and eucalyptus it is included, with aluminium you order it separately. Eucalyptus side poles are available with and without a cap. Chestnut side poles and robinia have no cap.
Does chestnut really turn grey?
Yes. Chestnut and robinia are supplied untreated and turn silver-grey outdoors. That is normal ageing from sun and rain, not damage — the wood stays just as strong. How fast it happens depends on the location: a pole in full sun and rain changes colour faster than one that stays dry and in the shade. If you would rather avoid that grey tone, choose the varnished eucalyptus.
Can I make a pole longer?
Only with aluminium. There are extensions from 0.5 to 2 metres and connectors in 50.8 and 76 mm. Wooden poles cannot be extended.
Does a pole sock fit every pole?
Pole socks come in 51 and 76 mm and fit the aluminium and eucalyptus poles. Chestnut and robinia are too thick.
Unsure about the combination for your tent size?
Tell us which tent you have and we will help you work out the side and center poles that go with it.
